Photography Explained Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Ever wondered why your photos don't look as good as the scene you remember? 🤔 The answer isn't a new camera or expensive software—it's mastering seven simple editing adjustments that transform flat photos into stunning images. ✨

Host Rick McEvoy reveals the exact editing workflow professional photographers use on EVERY photo. Learn how to make your images pop without spending hours editing or a fortune on gear. 💥

These aren't complex techniques—they're straightforward adjustments that offer massive returns in quality. Start with the best photo you can capture, then take it to the next level! 🎯

💥 What You'll Master in This Episode:

• Crop & Straighten First 🖼️✂️ Refine composition, fix crooked horizons, and verticalize buildings for that clean, professional look.
• White Balance Magic ⚪🌈 Use the eyedropper tool on neutral greys to instantly correct color casts—game-changing for portraits, interiors, and landscapes.
• Exposure Control ☀️💡 Go beyond the basic exposure slider to master highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks for perfect brightness.
• Contrast for Punch 💥 Add depth and drama by making blacks blacker and whites whiter—without clipping your histogram.
• Dimension with Highlights & Shadows 🌓 Recover detail in bright skies and dark areas for images that feel three-dimensional.
• Vibrance Over Saturation 🌈🎨 Make colors pop naturally without the cartoonish look—plus the secret of Lightroom's Color Mixer.
• Sharpening Secrets 🔍 The finishing touch that makes photos crisp without introducing noise or artifacts.

📚 Related Resources & Next Steps

➡️ Next Episode (Fortnightly): Episode 220: The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take It. 👁️

⬅️ Last Episode: Episode 218: Train Your Eye: Master Photography Right Where You Are. 🎒

📊 Deep Dive on Histograms: Episode 114: What Is A Histogram And How Can It Help Us When We Shoot? & Episode 164: Understanding Histograms In Photography.

🎨 Is Editing Cheating? Episode 92: Is Editing Photos Cheating? Well Is It? Well What Do You Think?

🛠️ Essential Gear: Episode 216: Essential Accessories for Every Photographer (Without Breaking the Bank).

🏠 Ready to Go Pro? Check out Rick's splendid "How to Become a Real Estate Photographer" course on the Courses Page.

Find Rick Online: Rick McEvoy Photography

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 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail

Tired of feeling like you need an exotic location for great photos? 🎒 The truth is, the most amazing photo spots are often right outside your door. The key is learning how to see like a professional photographer. 🎁

Host Rick McEvoy gives you his essential 11-Point Checklist for training your eye and taking captivating photos, no matter where you are. Stop just looking, and truly see the world around you! ✨

💥 What You'll Master in This Episode:

• Light First! ☀️💡 Always look for the best quality of light before the subject—it's the #1 way to instantly elevate your shots.
• Embrace the Ordinary 🧱🌳 Find compelling subjects in everyday things like brick walls, puddles, or tree bark right where you live.
• Depth and Dimension 💥➡️ Use layers, leading lines, and separation to eliminate flat images and add depth.
• The Power of Perspective ⬆️⬇️ Why you must look up, look down, and find frames within frames (Frame within a Frame 🔲).
• Simplify Ruthlessly 🖼️✂️ Fill the frame and eliminate anything that doesn't contribute to the story.
• The Secret Weapon 🌧️💨 Why the best, most moody photos are taken in bad weather (rain, fog, and snow!).

📚 Related Resources & Next Steps

➡️ Next Episode (Fortnightly): Episode 219: Why Your Photos Look Flat & How to Fix Them. 🛠️

⬅️ Last Episode: Episode 217: The Art of Light: From Harsh to Heavenly. 💡

🏞️ More Landscape Tips: Revisit Episode 213: Your First Five Steps into Landscape Photography (Even in Your Local Park).

🏠 Ready to Go Pro? Check out Rick's splendid "How to Become a Real Estate Photographer" course on the Courses Page.

Find Rick Online: Rick McEvoy Photography

🔎 Optimised Hashtags (for Searchability)

#photographyexplained #trainyoureye #photographymindset #compositiontips #learnphotography #beginnerphotography #localphotography #findthelight #streetphotography #landscapephotography #rickmcevoy #photographytips #visualarts #photoskills #creativephotography #photographypodcast

 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail

🌞 Is Harsh Sunlight Ruining Your Photos? Not Anymore! 🌞
Ever look at your beautiful outdoor scene and see only blown highlights, dark shadows, and squinting faces? You're not alone! Direct sunlight can be a photographer's biggest challenge, turning vibrant moments into high-contrast headaches.

But what if you could turn that harsh light into your secret weapon?

In Episode 209, Rick unlocks the pro secrets to stunning photography in direct sunlight! Discover 5 game-changing tips that will transform your sunny day shots from frustrating to fantastic.

✨ What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Master the Magic of Open Shade: Get instantly flattering, soft light for portraits.
• Creative Backlighting: Turn the sun into gorgeous rim light and dramatic silhouettes.
• Affordable Tools: How simple reflectors & diffusers can rescue your photos.
• Camera Settings & Editing Hacks: Crucial adjustments for balancing light & shadows.
• Bonus Phone Photography Tips: Get amazing shots even with your smartphone!

Stop fighting the sun and start mastering it! Rick shares practical, easy-to-understand advice that will give you back control of your camera and your creativity.

👉 Ready to take control of the light? Tap play now and transform your sunny day photography!

About Your Host:

Rick McEvoy is a professionally qualified photographer with a lifetime of experience, sharing bite-sized, jargon-free photography explanations every week.

Find More:

• Podcast Website: photographyexplainedpodcast.com
• Rick's Photography: rickmcevoyphotography.com
• Connect: sales@rickmcevoyphotography.co.uk

#PhotographyTips #DirectSunlight #HarshLight #OutdoorPhotography #PhotographyHacks #Lightroom #MobilePhotography #PortraitPhotography #LandscapePhotography #CameraTips #PhotographyExplained

 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail

EpisodeWhat Do I Need For Editing Photos? This Is What You Need And No More Really! Hi and welcome to Episode 125 of the Photography Explained podcast.

I’m your host Rick, and in each episode I will try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English in less than 10 minutes (ish) without the irrelevant details. What I tell you is based on my lifetime of photographic experience. And not Google. No offense Google.

Before I go on I need your help. I need your questions to answer. More on this at the end.

Here is the answery bit

To edit photos you need

• A computer to put the photos on - or a mobile device of course
• A monitor to look at the photos with
• Something to make sure that the colours you are looking at are correct
• The right place to edit your photos
• Software to edit the photos with
• And somewhere to back stuff up to

And you also need to

• Know how to use the software
• Know what you want to get out of your editing

Yeah, I have added a bit more to this one to get you thinking

OK – that is the answer. Well that is my answer. I will go through these quickly here, and I will expand on some of them in upcoming episodes.

Listen for more, or check out the transcript and even the blog post - so many ways to find out more!

What’s next?
Episode 126 - What Photo Editing Software Is Best For Beginners?

 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail

9 Reasons Why Camera Sensor Size Matters? And What This Really Means To Us! Hi and welcome to Episode 123 of the Photography Explained podcast.

I’m your host Rick, and in each episode I will try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English in less than 10 minutes (ish) without the irrelevant details. What I tell you is based on my lifetime of photographic experience. And not Google. No offense Google.

Before I go on I need your help. I need your questions to answer. More on this at the end.

Here is the answery bit.
To help you get started with editing photos here are 9 things that will help you

1.  What actually is photo editing? 
2.  Do I have to edit my photos?
3.  What stuff do I need to edit photos?
4.  Where do I put my photos?
5.  How long does it take to edit a photo?
6.  How do I know when I have finished editing a photo?
7.  What about photos taken on my phone?
8.  Don’t obsess about this too much
9.  Enjoy editing photos 

Listen for more, or check out the transcript and even the blog post - so many ways to find out more!

What’s next?
Episode 125 - What Do I Need For Editing Photos? This Is What You Need And No More OK?

 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail

9 Reasons Why Camera Sensor Size Matters? And What This Really Means To Us! Hi and welcome to Episode 123 of the Photography Explained podcast.

I’m your host Rick, and in each episode I will try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English in less than 10 minutes (ish) without the irrelevant details. What I tell you is based on my lifetime of photographic experience. And not Google. No offense Google.

Before I go on I need your help. I need your questions to answer. More on this at the end.

Here is the answery bit.
The size of a camera sensor determines

1.  The actual focal lengths that you get from a lens
2.  The resolution of images captured
3.  The sizes of image files
4.  The amount of depth of field
5.  The standard of low light performance
6.  The dynamic range that can be captured
7.  The amount of noise that might be found in a photo
8.  The size and weight of the camera and lenses
9.  The cost of the camera and lenses

So yes, it is fair to say that the size of a camera sensor matters.

Listen for more, or check out the transcript and even the blog post - so many ways to find out more!

What’s next?
Episode 124 - Photo Editing For Beginners - Where Do I Start? 10 Things To Help You

 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail

What Is Crop Factor? And How Does It Affect The Photos I Take?  Hi and welcome to Episode 122 of the Photography Explained podcast.

I’m your host Rick, and in each episode I will try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English in less than 10 minutes (ish) without the irrelevant details. What I tell you is based on my lifetime of photographic experience. And not Google. No offense Google.

Before I go on I need your help. I need your questions to answer. More on this at the end.

Here is the answery bit.
Crop factor is a number used to calculate the effective focal length of a camera lens on a cropped sensor or micro four thirds camera, compared to the same focal length on a full frame camera. Photos taken with cropped sensor and micro four thirds cameras are in effect zoomed in, when compared to the same focal length on a full frame camera. Photos taken at the same focal length on cropped sensor and micro four thirds cameras have a narrower field of view, meaning you get less in the photo.

Blimey. This is one of those. Complicated, quite boring, but very important. I will do my best on this one don’t worry.

Listen for more, or check out the transcript and even the blog post - so many ways to find out more!

What’s next?
Epiosde 123 - 9 Reasons Why Camera Sensor Size Matters? And What This Really Means To Us!

 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail

What Should I Upgrade First - My Camera Or My Lens? Please Help Me!  Hi and welcome to Episode 121 of the Photography Explained podcast.

I’m your host Rick, and in each episode I will try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English in less than 10 minutes (ish) without the irrelevant details. What I tell you is based on my lifetime of photographic experience. And not Google. No offense Google.

Before I go on I need your help. I need your questions to answer. More on this at the end.

Here is the answery bit.
You should upgrade your lens before you upgrade your camera if you want to get higher quality, sharper images. Upgrading your camera lens will generally improve the quality of your photos more than replacing your camera body. You will also be able to shoot a wider range of subjects with a new lens. Camera lenses also have a longer working life than cameras, and are upgraded less frequently by manufacturers.

There will be times when you need to replace your camera first, but I will come onto them.

Listen for more, or check out the transcript and even the blog post - so many ways to find out more!

What’s next?
Episode 122 - What Is Crop Factor? And How Does It Affect The Photos I Take?

 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail

I Have A Kit Lens - How Do I Know Which Lens To Buy To Progress My Photography? Hi and welcome to Episode 120 of the Photography Explained podcast.

I’m your host Rick, and in each episode I will try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English in less than 10 minutes (ish) without the irrelevant details. What I tell you is based on my lifetime of photographic experience. And not Google. No offense Google.

Before I go on I need your help. I need your questions to answer. More on this at the end.

Here is the answery bit.
If you have a kit lens and want to progress with your photography you need to answer the following questions

1. What do you want to use the new lens for?
2. What will this new lens enable you to do that you cannot do with your kit lens?
3. How much are you willing/ comfortable to pay for a new lens?
4. Do you want a zoom lens or a fixed focal length lens?
5. Are you planning on changing your camera/ camera system?
6.  Do you buy a lens made by your camera manufacturer, or do you buy a lens made by someone else?
7.  New or second hand?
8. Are you going to buy any other lenses in the future?

That is the answer, in this episode I go through each of these one by one.

Listen for more, or check out the transcript and even the blog post - so many ways to find out more!

What’s next?
Episode 121 - What Should I Upgrade First - My Camera Or My Lens? Please Help Me!

 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail

11 Essential Photography Gear Items Every Beginner Photographer Should Get  Hi and welcome to Episode 119 of the Photography Explained podcast.

I’m your host Rick, and in each episode I will try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English in less than 10 minutes (ish) without the irrelevant details. What I tell you is based on my lifetime of photographic experience. And not Google.

Before I go on I need your help. I need your questions to answer. More on this at the end.

Here is the answery bit.
I am going to tell you 11 essential bits of photography gear that will get you going taking great photos. They are

1.  A tripod
2.  Hurricane/ brush blower
3.  Pec Pads
4.  Lens cleaning solution
5.  Spare batteries
6.  Memory cards
7.  Memory card cases
8.  ND filter
9.  Book
10.  Camera Bag
11.  Another lens

Ok – this is my list after all – I am sure that there are those who will disagree, but that is fine.

Now let me quickly go through each of these. 

Listen for more, or check out the transcript and even the blog post - so many ways to find out more!

What’s next?
Episode 120 - I Have A Kit Lens - How Do I Know Which Lens To Buy To Progress My Photography?

 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick